sloArch » construction http://www.sloarch.com architecture in the real world Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:30:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Join us every week as we interview Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture alumni and students and talk about the things that matter to us! sloArch no sloArch thestudio@sloarch.com thestudio@sloarch.com (sloArch) 2010 sloArch.com the only podcast for Cal Poly students and alumni CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, Architecture, Alumni, Students, Architect sloArch » construction http://www.sloarch.com/thestudio/TheStudioAlbumArt.jpg http://www.sloarch.com The Studio 48: Align the Grain http://www.sloarch.com/2010/11/the-studio-48-align-the-grain/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/11/the-studio-48-align-the-grain/#comments Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:30:02 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1776

Chris Allen, B’Arch ’06, LEED AP, of CWA Studios fame, share how he started a successful furniture business and his plans for become a master builder.  Buildings completed in six days and roads that practically pave themselves.

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Show Notes

Site News

  • All call for an Assistant Producer
    • Send applications to tim at sloarch.com
  • New Facebook Fans
    • Julien Stockwell
    • Brieanne Taylor Marshall
    • Lucy Bignan
    • Sean Lopes

Cal Poly News

  • Maya Workshop
    • Sat. Nov. 20th, 9am – 5pm, Berg Gallery
    • By David Stamatis of Emergent and Clayton Taylor of UCLA Suprastudio
    • If you are interested to participate, please be on-time and have Maya 2009, 2010, or 2011 installed and running on your computer. Please also have the rendering plug-in Maxwell 2 installed and running on your computer. Free Trial Software is available from Autodesk online.
  • 2011 Next Generation Accessible Bus Design Competition
    • Deadlines:
      • Abstract: December 1, 2010
      • Poster: April 29, 2011
    • Public transportation plays an important role in creating an accessible society because it is critical for ensuring employment, citizenship, social role participation, and social interaction for people with disabilities. This design competition challenges the public (students, transit professionals, designers, and futurists) to think creatively about what they envision for “The Next Generation Accessible Bus” of 2030. Designs must incorporate advanced technologies and accommodate people of all ages and abilities equally. For more information please see the Next Generation Accessible Bus Flier.

General News

Rapid Fire Questions:

  • Cal Poly or Berkeley? Cal Poly
  • Parallel bar or T-Square? Parallel bar
  • Facebook or LinkedIn? Facebook
  • Drafting dots or tape? measuring tape
  • Ad Markers or Prisma? Prisma
  • Pen or Pencil? Pencil
  • Chisel or Router? Router
  • Cherry or Mahogony? Cherry
  • Craftsman or Dewalt? Dewalt
  • What’s the Meaning of Life? pride in what you do or who you are

SCORE: 23.2

Interview

  • What have you been up to since graduation?
    • Did the construction thing up until graduation
    • After graduation, he planned to get a job at an arch firm…
    • Instead he got a job working with a door and window fabricator
      • Architectural Ironworks – deal only with steal and bronze
    • The switched to Kornreich Architects in SLO
    • Started his own custom woodworking company
  • How did you start into carpentry?
    • He felt a need to build and have a hands on aspect
    • Casework was the more universal place to start and there was a demand
    • It started building back into furniture design from the casework clients
    • Some of it is a hobby aspect, but it allows for care and attention to detail
  • How did you start into carpentry?
    • Started building as a kid, a three story wood fort in the backyard was the start
    • While at Cal Poly, Mary Laport (worked in the Art and Design Department), approached him and he had his first official side job, and it started there
    • The perfection and attention to detail was appealing to him
    • It’s developed and evolved, but it’s also about the tools that you have as well as the skill and talent
  • What are you plans for the future?
    • Would like to have a design build firm in the future
  • Are you seeking licensure?
    • Yes
  • What advice would you give to current Cal Poly Architecture students?
    • Get your hands dirty.
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/11/the-studio-48-align-the-grain/feed/ 0 Accessibility,brick,Canada,carpentry,China,construction,CWA Studios,furniture,Mary Laport,Maya,Skyscrapers Chris Allen, B'Arch '06, LEED AP, of CWA Studios fame, share how he started a successful furniture business and his plans for become a master builder. Buildings completed in six days and roads that practically pave themselves. Chris Allen, B'Arch '06, LEED AP, of CWA Studios fame, share how he started a successful furniture business and his plans for become a master builder. Buildings completed in six days and roads that practically pave themselves. sloArch no 59:23 The Studio 40: The Master Builder http://www.sloarch.com/2010/09/the-studio-40-the-master-builder/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/09/the-studio-40-the-master-builder/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:30:32 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1658

Lloyd Russell, AIA, (B’Arch ’91) talks about how he made the transition from student to teacher and architect to master builder.  He talks about his design process and how he can design through construction without scaring his clients.

Executive Producer: Henri de Hahn

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • Thanks to Henri, Josef, Tracee, and everyone!
  • New Facebook Fans
    • Geri Ooi
    • Jose Silva
    • Anthony Preston
    • Fazal Khan
    • Craig Howard
    • David Wachtel
    • Rich Milstead

Cal Poly News

General News

Rapid Fire Questions:

  • Cal Poly or Berkeley? Cal Poly
  • Autocad or Revit or ArhicCAD? ArchiCAD
  • Parallel bar or T-Square? Parallel bar
  • Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter? Facebook
  • Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect? eek!
  • Drafting dots or tape? tape
  • Yellow trace or white? white
  • Ad Markers or Prisma? Prisma
  • Pen or Pencil? Pencil
  • Mac or PC or UNIX? MAC
  • What’s the Meaning of Life? 42

SCORE: 92,210

Interview

  • Why ArchiCAD
    • When he graduated in ’91 there wasn’t any work, his first job involved hand drafting and he was eventually forced into ArchiCAD since
    • He prefers to stare at a piece of paper rather than a computer screen
    • Had an extra ArchiCAD disk laying around so that’s what they used
  • Why the “ek” to architectural magazines…
    • They can jade your perception of architecture
    • He prefers older magazines, the new magazines can be too seductive
  • Why architecture…
    • Mr. Brady on the Brady Bunch didn’t wear suits and he thought that was cool
    • He spent high school in the wood shop and then ventured into art class and discovered he could draw
    • On a road trip through San Luis Obispo, he walked into one of the studios and knew that “this” is what he wanted to do
    • He was accepted to Cal Poly under another major, but started showing up to arch classes anyways
  • After graduation…
    • There wasn’t much work in ’91, it was a recession similar to the one we’re currently in
    • It seemed like everyone went to San Francisco
    • He believed what he was told: “Architects will save the world”, but everytime he drove through L.A. he wondered how that could be
    • Discovered that a large part of building and architecture is to make money, so he pursued the developing route
    • Becoming the developer and the contractor yourself bypasses the client
    • Construction experience with an eye toward development was the route he went
    • There were no jobs, so his mantra was: “find a building you like, find out who did it and knock on their door”
    • He started working with an architect interested in real estate/developer route
    • The attitude become “do what ever you can do”, teaching, practicing, community, if you do them all then you’ll stay afloat
  • How did you take that first big step to work on your own
    • When there’s no work it’s easier to just go out on your own
    • The first project is the hardest and you have to team up with someone who trusts you
    • Find a property owner, for sweat equity get a stakehold in the project
    • It becomes a matter of getting your project built, you become the master builder
    • Why does the architect get paid less than anyone else
    • It’s become a method of learning how to wear the other hats involved to becoming a master builder
  • The transition to teaching…
  • Influence of Construction experience
    • While there’s money in construction, he was careful to not get pulled into it, rather always keep his eye on the architecture
    • The trades do it day in and day out and have skills that architects can learn from
    • Learning from the trade and the craft he can better express how the building is built
    • If he can understand the trade himself he can make it more cost effective, better detail and get better bids
  • Design Inspiration
    • Models and the sculptural experience of the building
    • Allow for the happy accidents
    • There’s no formula
    • It’s not a control thing, it’s a matter of being central to the process
    • When everything comes together, social, economic, artistic, that’s the success of the design
  • The R3 Building
    • His favorite to date
    • It marked an iconic point for him
    • A crazy building on a crazy piece of property
  • What makes good design
    • Expresses the how/why it was built and the social, economic, artistic facets of it being built
    • Thoughts on Cal Poly students
    • Not many of them come down to San Diego
  • Advice to Cal Poly students and grads
    • Just create a dialouge with Firms you respect, even if they’re not hiring you should try and become a part of the community
    • When you’re hired it’s not just your resume or portfolio, it’s the type of team player you can be and how you can learn
    • Sending resumes usually just end up in a file
    • If you have initiative that shows more than sending a resume
    • Having a good attitude and a willingness to learn can take you far
  • Finishing a project in Hillcrest if anyone is looking for a place to rent
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/09/the-studio-40-the-master-builder/feed/ 0 Antoine Predock,ArchiCAD,Cal Poly Pamona,construction,Development,Economy,Green Architecture,Modeling,Modern Architecture,Real Estate,Recession,Teaching Lloyd Russell, AIA, (B'Arch '91) talks about how he made the transition from student to teacher and architect to master builder. He talks about his design process and how he can design through construction without scaring his clients. - Lloyd Russell, AIA, (B'Arch '91) talks about how he made the transition from student to teacher and architect to master builder. He talks about his design process and how he can design through construction without scaring his clients. Executive Producer: Henri de Hahn sloArch no The Studio 28: Disconnected http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/ http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:30:54 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=1456

Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot!  We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg’s theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure.  We also talk about the alumni NAAB survey and saving La Sagrada Familia!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter!

Show Notes

Site News

  • New Facebook Fans
    • Sergio Pena
    • Philip Li
    • Pete Rosado

Cal Poly News:

  • Updates to Architecture Department Sustainability Links:
  • NAAB ALUMNI SURVEY (SUMMER 2010)
    • Strongly Disagree – Disagree – Neutral – Agree – Strongly Agree
    • Industry Readiness – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to make a positive contribution to the workplace as a result of their practice business and practice knowledge.
    • Productivity & Supervision – Recent Cal Poly graduates are productive in the workplace with minimal supervision.
    • Graphic Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ appropriate representational media, including freehand sketching and mechanical drafting, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process.
    • Leadership Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to quickly assume project management responsibilities, including but not limited to coordinating communications among all parties, managing personnel and budgets, and administering contractual agreements.
    • Communication Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to speak and write effectively on subject matter contained in the professional curriculum.
    • Computer Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ appropriate representational media, including computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process.
    • Research Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to employ basic methods of data collection and analysis to inform all aspects of the programming and design processes.
    • Critical Thinking Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to make a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of a building, building complex, or urban space.
    • Design Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to apply basic organizational, spatial, structural, and constructional principles to the conception and development of interior and exterior spaces, building elements and components.
    • Collaborative Skills – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to identify and assume divergent roles that maximize individual talents and to cooperate with other professionals when working as members of a design team and in other settings.
    • Detailing Knowledge – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to provide details regarding design specifications, systems, consultants, and materials.
    • Structural Systems Coordination – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to implement and coordinate structural systems, communicate with structural consultants, and integrate all documents.
    • MEP Systems Coordination – Recent Cal Poly graduates are able to implement and coordinate MEP systems, communicate with MEP consultants, and integrate all documents.
    • Design Theory – Recent Cal Poly graduates are conversant in principles of architectural design, history or architecture and theory.
    • Quality of Graduates – My company is satisfied with the quality of Cal Poly graduates
    • Comparative Quality – Overall, Cal Poly graduates are stronger when compared to graduates from other universities.

Other News:

Rapid Fire Questions:

  • Cal Poly or Berkeley? Cal Poly
  • Autocad or Revit? Microstation
  • Parallel bar or T-Square? Parallel Bar
  • Facebook or LinkedIn? Facebook
  • Arch Record, Arch Digest, or Architect? Record
  • Drafting dots or tape? Tape
  • Yellow trace or white? White
  • Ad Markers or Prisma? Ad
  • Pen or Pencil? Pen
  • Mac or PC? PC
  • What’s the Meaning of Life? Enjoy!

SCORE: 2,541

Interview

  • Why did you become an Architect?
    • Coming from a very small High School, he got to take drafting and architecture classes and then actually build the house they designed on campus. (Lindsay H.S.)
    • Over the summer they’d auction it off to a contractor that would move the house to the desired location and the proceeds would then go to fund the following year.
    • Cal Poly and Architecture just made sense at that point. It took him 8 years, he was working while going to school.
  • What did you do after graduation?
    • Left to work in Santa Barbara at a medium size firm for 3 1/2 years then came back to SLO to work and eventually teach in 2000.
  • Why did you decide to teach?
    • Was a good opportunity to meet new people and do something different.
    • Great balance of teaching and working.
  • What would you recommend for someone wanting to pursue a career in architecture education?
    • Being a practitioner is very important, it helps create that middle ground of design and practice and it’s great for the university to have that
  • How do you balance your working and teaching schedule?
    • They both influence each other, but you have to work at that balance.
  • What is the worst part of teaching at Cal Poly?
    • Grading is hard, design is so subjective and you have to get into the quality of the design, the effort, the student participation, it’s a very difficult aspect of teaching. It’s about the learning not always the assessment of the learning.
  • What is the best part of teaching at Cal Poly?
    • Getting out of the studio to go visit and see things, walking through buildings, gaining knowledge just from looking at building elements and components.
    • The hands on aspect makes the students light up and absorb the building.
  • What is the one thing that you hope to teach your students?
    • What we do is totally teachable, it’s not a profession where you either have it or you don’t, it’s very process driven so if you can teach the process and teach the “how we do it” part and someone works hard to learn it then they can become a great architect.
    • His role is more of coach and mentor than design instruction.
    • It’s about collaboration and love of the profession.
  • Architect License = License to be Creative
  • One of favorite books: “The Universal Traveler“, Don Koberg, Jim Bagnall
  • What advice would you give the recent graduation class?
    • He writes a lot of letters of recommendation and currently most of those letters are for grad school rather than jobs.
    • If you have the grades and funds to do grad school then pursue that.
    • Things will recover, we’re seeing signs of it now, for the 2nd year students they’re in a great position.
    • For grads it’s great to stay active, even if it’s working construction or doing a kitchen remodel.
    • Be the best that you can at everything you do, even if it’s working in a jewelry store you can still apply the “process”.
    • Shout out to “Rolling Scones” up in the bay area
  • Lengthy talk on being a successful business person in architecture.
    • It’s not that hard, just do it
  • Parting words:
    • This is the best job in the entire world, take a break if you need to, but come back
    • Get your license, that’s the ultimate goal. Then do whatever you want after that.
]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2010/07/the-studio-28-disconnected/feed/ 1 Business,CalPoly,construction,design,Economy,Educational,George Hasslen,Greg Wynn,NAAB,Spain Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot! We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg's theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure. Greg Wynn, Architect, Cal Poly Lecturer and Cal Poly Alumni teaches us a lot! We discuss how to be a successful Architect, Greg's theory on life and throw in a story about Dean George Hasslein for good measure. We also talk about the alumni NAAB survey and saving La Sagrada Familia! Don't forget to tell your friends about us, join our Facebook Group, leave reviews on iTunes, vote for us on Podcast Alley, and follow us on Twitter! sloArch no Architectural Disasters http://www.sloarch.com/2009/07/architectural-disasters/ http://www.sloarch.com/2009/07/architectural-disasters/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:05:50 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=313 I had the opportunity of driving across the westbound side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge last week.  The westbound side was completed in 1950 and has been solid as a rock for almost 60 years.  As I traversed this now famous span, I couldn’t help but think of it’s infamous and ill fated predecessor.

This short drive and the recent building collapse of the residential block in China made me reflect again on the very serious nature of the Architecture and building professions.  As Architects, engineers, contractors, designers, and draftsmen, the decisions and the work that we do have very serious real world consequences.

Not all problems result in loss of life, but sometimes the costs can be unimaginable.  Over the years I have seen many, many bad designs and construction mistakes, as has anyone who has worked in the profession for any amount of time.  I’ve seen structures sliding down hills, doors that don’t open, and shoddy and dangerous construction in abundance.  In order to protect the innocent I won’t be posting any of those problems here, but I’ll more than gladly share other people’s mistakes.

Below I have compiled some serious and not so serious building errors for your reflection.

Tacoma Narrows Bidge June 27, 2009

Tacoma Narrows Bridge, June 27, 2009

The Tacoma  Narrows Bridge collapsed on Nov. 7th, 1940 only four months after completion.  The only casualty was a dog stuck in a car on the bridge when it collapsed.

This unoccupied 13 story residential building collapsed while still under construction, apparently from over excavating the foundation while constructing a parking garage coupled with heavy rain.  Amazingly only one casualty was reported.  (Chinese news article | English translation)

Shaghai Building Collapses, June 28th, 2009

13 story Shanghai building collapses, June 27th, 2009.

Improper excavation and rain apparently led to the buildings collapse

Improper excavation and rain apparently led to the buildings collapse

The 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston killed 492 people and resulted in sweeping building and fire code reform. The filled over capacity club, highly flammable decorations, and a poorly designed and modified egress system resulted in this tragedy. Today designers must follow strict laws regarding the sizing, construction, and placement of a buildings doors, stars, and corridors.

The Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston killed 492 people and resulted in sweepin building and fire code reform.

Cocoanut Grove memorial, dedicated in 1993

Poor rooftop access in Arizona, Jan. 20, 2008.  Unfortunately, the little details like service access are often overlooked by Architects and building inspectors alike.

On May 23, 2004, a 33 foot section of the Charles-de-Gaulle Airport terminal in France collapsed killing four people and injuring 3, just 11 months after going into service.  The main cause of the failure was determined to be poor detailing between the building facade and the structure.

Charles-de-Gaulle Airport Terminal

Charles-de-Gaulle Airport Terminal 2E

While MIT’s Sata Center is heralded by some as architectural genius, MIT sued the architect, Frank Gehry, on Oct. 31, 2007 in response to leaks, cracked masonry, mold growth, and drainage and ice build up problems.   As of the date of this article the lawsuit is still pending.  The architect claims the owner value engineered the roof which resulted in the problems, and MIT claims the architect provided “deficient design services and drawings.”

Ray and Maria Stata Center, June 2006

Ray and Maria Stata Center, MIT, June 2006

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2009/07/architectural-disasters/feed/ 0 Modern Spanish Construction: Part III http://www.sloarch.com/2009/06/modern-spanish-construction-part-iii/ http://www.sloarch.com/2009/06/modern-spanish-construction-part-iii/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:48:53 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=223 To finish out this series on Spanish construction methods I wanted to post a few more images.

Multi Story Building

Multi Story Building with Curves! Ciudad Real, Spain

There are a number of typical things being done in this building.   As is the case with most Spanish multi-story buildings, a series of concrete columns and beams are spanned with concrete joists and brick units to create the structure for concrete floor decks.

Also typical are the crane on site during the entire construction process as well as the safety netting around the building.

I like this picture because it shows how flexible this system can be.  Unlike the building I showed earlier the upper floors introduce some curves.

Chalet Factory, Azuqueca de Henares, Spain

Chalet Factory, Azuqueca de Henares, Spain

The above photo was a very common site during my time in Spain.  The townhouse, or Chalet, was becoming very poplar and the construction industry was responding by building hundreds of these units.  These structure use load bearing brick walls as opposed to the concrete column and beam structures of the 3+ story buildings.

This last picture is a close up of the entry stair construction at another development.

Typical exterior stair construction, Azuqueca de Henares, Spain

Typical exterior stair construction, Azuqueca de Henares, Spain

I think we see a couple of interesting in this picture.

Firstly, the stair.  The structure for the stair is a simple concrete ramp.  The concrete is poured without forming any treads.  The reads and risers are created from hollow bricks and mortared together.  The stairs will be finished with tiles.

Secondly, we see the windows and doors in various phases of installation.  Because the entire structure is concrete and masonry there is no counter flashing for the windows and doors.  The exterior finishes are installed and then the windows are set in place.  This is very different from the complex system of flashing and counter-flashing used in framed construction here in the United States.

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2009/06/modern-spanish-construction-part-iii/feed/ 0 Modern Spanish Construction: Part II http://www.sloarch.com/2009/05/modern-spanish-construction-part-ii/ http://www.sloarch.com/2009/05/modern-spanish-construction-part-ii/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 19:16:42 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=179 Yesterday we looked at the demolition and foundation of this building and the pouring of the foundation. Today we will take the building to it’s completion.

Forming the First Floor

The formwork has been removed from the 1st floor columns and the forms are being set up for the second floor. It was only a couple days since the first floor columns were poured but they won't be supporting any load for a few more. Metal jacks are setup steel joists and wood formwork are laid out.

caption

With the wood forms in place concrete joists are laid down and hollow brick units are laid down on top of them. In a little over a day the entire floor is laid out. The joists and bricks are simply laid in place are not anchored in any way.

caption

Following adding perimeter formwork, rebar, and welded wire mesh, the first floor is poured. The crane is used to transfer the concrete from the truck to the workers. All of the beams and columns are vibrated and then the floor is leveled. The finish is left rather rough as the entire floor surface will eventually be tiled.

caption

Here is a better shot of the floor beam rebar and formwork. No formwork is setup against the two adjacent buildings. A one inch piece of foam will be set against the building before the floor is poured. An edge form is set up around the elevator shaft and the building perimeter.

caption

A finished floor slab.

caption

One month after finishing the foundation the formwork is nearly finished for the 4th and final floor of the building. All of the steel jacks are still in place for the entire building. The neighbors will soon loose the views out of their bathroom windows.

caption

The hopper make another trip up to the fourth floor. This floor feature a larger cantilever on the corner and has more rebar than the other floors.

caption

Within 5 days the floor has cured and the final columns have been formed, poured, and had their formwork removed.

caption

The roof is formed the same way as the floors. The columns were poured at varying heights and the rebar will tie into the roof beams. The same system of concrete joists and hollow bricks will be used.

caption

The roof is poured in place.

caption

With all of the structural work complete the crew begins to clean up the site. The jacks are removed from the bottom floors and the concrete beams bear the weight of the building for the first time.

I unfortunately moved away from Guadalajara on August 14th so I missed the application of the building finishes, however I did return to take a photo of the completed building about 8 months later. If this building were typical, which I believe it is, the walls were made of a lightweight hollow brick, plaster would be applied to the interior face and a decorative brick veneer to the exterior. The roof tiles are applied directly to the concrete roof deck.

caption

Persian blinds are standard in Spain and are something I missed coming back to the States. They are so convenient and do a great job with light control. Notice the temporary brick wall on the first floor this will eventually be replaced with ground floor retail.

]]> http://www.sloarch.com/2009/05/modern-spanish-construction-part-ii/feed/ 4 Modern Spanish Construction: Part I http://www.sloarch.com/2009/05/modern-spanish-construction-part-i/ http://www.sloarch.com/2009/05/modern-spanish-construction-part-i/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 19:23:34 +0000 Tim Alatorre http://www.sloarch.com/?p=139 As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve had a long time obsession with Architecture and construction dating back to a very young age.  The first plans I remember drawing were for an elaborate underground clubhouse that my sister and I were going to dig in my parents back yard.  I’m thinking I was about 10 or 11 at the time.  I had an opportunity to live in Spain for almost two years ending in July of 2001 and although I was there to do service with I never lost an occasion to enjoy the exposure to some very different Architecture and construction methods.

I lived for 9 months in Guadalajara, the capitol city of the province of Guadalajara, located about 37 miles ENE of Madrid.  Although some of the structures in the city date back to the 8th century most the city is relatively new, constructed in the last 60 years.  With the addition of the AVE (high speed train) stop in 2003 the city has seen an explosion of growth.

I lived in Guadalajara in the pre-AVE days on the 7th floor of the 10 story building in center of the photo below.  6 months after arriving I awoke on May 27th, 2000 to see that the small house directly across the street was being demolished.  I whipped out my camera and shot construction progress photos for the next 3 months.  The building is located on the  North East corner of Avenida de Castilla and Calle Alvargomez de Ciudad Real, one block West of Calle de Toledo.

Birdseye View of Finished Building, via Live Maps on 5/21/09.

Birdseye View of Finished Building in center of photo, via Live Maps on 5/21/09.

The following photos chronicle the construction of the structural shell of the building.  I have added my thoughts on the methods of construction that were the norm for my time in Spain.  I pulled these pictures from my photo album and the notes I made 9 years ago are unfortunately glued to the pictures.

spanish_const-_1

The demolition began around 8am on May 27th, 2000. Piso is Spanish for floor, or apartment. These pictures were all taken from my bedroom window.

spanish_const_2

It was a shame to see all of this Spanish tile be destroyed like this. Authentic Spanish tile is something we pay high prices for in the United States.

spanish_const_3

Demolition goes quickly. I found it interesting that this demolished building was constructed with the same materials that the new building will be built with. This building would use solid bricks where the new building would be constructed with hollow lightweight brick units.

spanish_const_4

After about 6 hours of work, remember the two hour 'medio dia' or 'siesta' break, the house was gone including all of the foundation.

spanish_const_5

The lot stood for over a week in this state. The old building appears as a ghost like silhouette.

spanish_const_6

I knew the knew building was to be bigger than the original for a number of reasons. For one, the foundation excavations are much more significant, also, the footprint of the building consumes the entire lot, not a portion as the old structure did. Note on this side of the street the large concrete blocks placed in the street for the crane.

spanish_const_7

The crane was offloaded from the truck and erected on site. It will stay on site throughout the entire construction process. Rebar cages were placed in the excavations and the footings are poured in place. No form work was used.

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All of the foundations are spread footings and grade beams. I found it interesting that they pouted the perimeter spread footings then excavated the grade beams and footings.

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One week after the footings were poured they began to form the first floor columns. With every pour they conducted a slump test and poured concrete cylinders for strength testing. They always did the tests near the crane so I had a good view. Note that the first floor walls are already being laid. It's hard to see in this photo but the bricks are hollow. The mason never used a saw but simply used his trowel to chop the bricks to size.

Tomorrow I will post the photos of the remainder of the construction.

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